The Western Force have added three players on injury cover contracts ahead of the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s season.
Sakura Fifteen international and Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix second-rower Yuna Sato will return for the second time at the Force, having had a stint in 2023. Sato has represented her 27 times internationally, including in last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Wests Scarborough forward and 2022 Debby Hodgkinson Rising Star winner Keira Macaskill has been added, having not played since the 2024 campaign. She is a back-rower who is recently a prop convert, offering flexibility to the side.
Versatile Fijian front-rower Jiowana Sauto also comes into the squad. The 28-year-old has Super W experience with Fijian Drua, Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds and can play anywhere across the front row as a prop or hooker.
The trio are added due to injuries to Kahurangi Sturmey, Braxton Walker and Katalina Amosa.
The Force’s 2026 Super W campaign is due to get underway on Saturday 10:05am WST away to the Fijian Drua.
Every game of the 2026 Super Rugby Women's season will be broadcast live on Stan Sport.
2026 Western Force Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s squad
FORWARDS
Front-rowers Katalina Amosa*, Zoe Elliott, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Chiharu Nezuka, Alapeta Ngauamo, Hannah Palelei, Jiowana Sauto, Allana Sikimeti, Braxton Walker*
Lock/back-rowers Nami Dickson, Michaela Leonard, Keira Macaskill, Sera Naiqama, Seina Saito, Yuna Sato, Anneka Stephens, Kahurangi Sturmey*, Sofaia Talemaira, Pia Tapsell, Taylor Waterson
BACKS
Halves Ai Dickson, Grace Freeman, Nicole Ledington, Sammy Wood
Midfield Atawhai Hotene, Ngamihi Monk, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith, Kylah-Rey Tuheke Kupa
Back three Adi Vani Buleki, Halley Derera, Teiana Mainwaring, Ella Pietsch, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Aiysha Wigley
*injured
FULL 2026 WESTERN FORCE SUPER W SCHEDULE
Round – Date, Time (all WST) – Fixture – Venue
Rd 1 – Bye
Rd 2 – Saturday 13 June, 10:05am WST – Fijian Drua vs Western Force – King Charles Park, Nadi
Rd 3 – Saturday 20 June, 2:05pm WST– Western Force vs Queensland Reds – Wanneroo Rugby Club, Perth
Rd 4 – Saturday 27 June, 2:05pm WST – Western Force vs NSW Waratahs – Palmyra Rugby Club, Perth
Rd 5 – Sunday 5 July, 12:05pm WST – ACT Brumbies vs Western Force – Viking Park, Canberra Semi-finals – Friday-Sunday 17-19 July
Grand Final – Friday-Sunday 24-26 July
Women’s Super Rugby Champions Final – Saturday 1 August - Super Rugby Women's champion v Super Rugby Aupiki champion – Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
